-마저
Even, As Well
-마저 is a particle meaning 'even' or 'as well,' used when the last remaining thing is also affected, typically in a negative context.
How It Works
-마저 is a particle that attaches directly to nouns. It signifies that the noun it's attached to is the last remaining item in a series of events, and its inclusion makes the situation worse or more complete in a negative way.
Key Nuances:
1. Finality: It implies that other similar things have already happened, and this is the last one. For example, if you say "너마저..." (Even you...), it suggests others have already disappointed you, and you were the last person they hoped wouldn't.
2. Negative Context: It is almost exclusively used in undesirable or unfortunate situations. It adds a sense of 'to make matters worse' or 'the last straw'.
Comparison with similar particles:
- -마저 vs. -도 (also, too, even):
-도 is neutral. It can be used in both positive and negative contexts to simply add something to a list.
e.g., 사과도 먹고 배도 먹었어요. (I ate an apple and a pear too.)
-마저 is specifically for negative situations where the added item is the final one.
e.g., 돈을 잃어버리고, 친구마저 떠났다. (I lost my money, and then even my friend left.) - -마저 vs. -조차 (even, not even):
Both are used in negative contexts. However, -조차 emphasizes something that was least expected to happen. It focuses on the surprising or shocking nature of the event.
-마저 emphasizes the last remaining thing. It focuses on the finality of the negative situation.
e.g., 쉬운 문제조차 틀렸다. (I even got the easy question wrong - unexpected.)
e.g., 마지막 희망마저 사라졌다. (Even the last hope disappeared - finality.)
Examples (4)
- 가장 친한 친구마저 나를 떠났다.
Even my best friend left me.
Word by Word: Best friend even me left.
This implies that other people had already left, and the best friend was the last one remaining, making the situation feel final and hopeless.
- 비가 오더니, 이제는 바람마저 심하게 불기 시작했다.
It started raining, and now even the wind has started to blow fiercely.
Word by Word: Rain came, now wind even severely blowing started.
This suggests that the bad weather is escalating; on top of the rain, the wind (the next and perhaps final element of a storm) has also started.
- 마지막 남은 희망마저 사라졌다.
Even the last remaining hope disappeared.
Word by Word: Last remaining hope even disappeared.
- 돈을 잃어버렸는데, 가방마저 도둑맞았다.
I lost my money, and on top of that, even my bag was stolen.
Word by Word: Money lost, bag even was stolen.
Common Mistakes
Using -마저 in positive situations.
Different Meaning선물도 받고, 칭찬마저 들었다.Better선물도 받고, 칭찬도 들었다.-마저 has a strong negative connotation. It's used when the final thing in a series of bad events occurs. For adding items in a positive context, you should use the neutral particle -도.
Confusing the nuance of -마저 (finality) with -조차 (unexpectedness).
Different Meaning그는 자기 이름마저 쓸 줄 모른다.Better그는 자기 이름조차 쓸 줄 모른다.While not grammatically wrong, -조차 is more natural here. The focus is on the unexpected or surprising fact that he can't even write his own name, not that it's the 'last' thing he can't do. Use -조차 for things that are least expected, and -마저 for the last item in a sequence of negative events.
Learn This First
To express emphatic addition 'even/as well', you need understanding of additive particles.
Related Patterns
- -조차Even, Not Even
Both are used in negative contexts to mean 'even'. However, -조차 emphasizes something that was least expected to happen, focusing on surprise. -마저 emphasizes that the last remaining item was also affected, focusing on finality.
- 까지To, Until, By
While its main meaning is 'until', -까지 can also mean 'even' or 'on top of that', similar to -도. For example, '너까지 왜 그래?' (Why are even you being like this?). It's useful to compare how -마저, -조차, and -까지 all express 'even' with different nuances.